Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has announced that he is building a "strong and united opposition coalition" aimed at challenging what he described as the "excesses" of President Bola Tinubu's administration.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Atiku assured Nigerians that the coalition's primary objective is to "rescue Nigeria" while ensuring citizens can freely choose their leaders.

"We are building a strong, united opposition coalition — one that will challenge the excesses of this administration, restore accountability, and return government to the people," Atiku wrote.

The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate further stated: "We will protect the right of every Nigerian to freely choose their leaders, and we will continue to fight for economic justice, political freedom, and national progress. We are here to rescue Nigeria. And we will not stop until that goal is achieved."

Key Figures in the Coalition

The opposition coalition brings together several prominent political figures, including former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, among others.

Reports indicate that these key stakeholders recently held a meeting to strategize. Speaking about the gathering, El-Rufai, now a chieftain of the Social Democratic Party, boldly claimed that the coalition will ensure President Tinubu loses his reelection bid in 2027.

"The coalition will return Tinubu to Lagos in 2027," El-Rufai was quoted as saying, suggesting confidence in their ability to defeat the incumbent president in the next general election.

This development marks a significant realignment in Nigeria's political landscape, bringing together former rivals who contested against each other in the 2023 presidential election, now united in opposition to the current administration.

The coalition appears to be positioning itself as an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government, focusing on issues of accountability, economic justice, and political freedom as their rallying points ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.